Horgus will shake Sal's hand and gives a bit of a grunt.
The injured woman sighs and gives Tak and Darius the description of her home and the general area that it is at while she, WalMir, and Salvatore take a bit of a rest at Horgus's.
Keeping their eyes peeled for dangers, the two move along slowly. The journey to the north takes nearly an hour before they feel confident they are close to where Anevia had indicated. Along the way they pass by several burned out homes and even piles of corpses in the streets. At one point there was a huge gouge taken out of the very ground for blocks in a straight line that made travel difficult. Spending a bit more time, the two scouts finally locate the home. At this point, the sun has already starting to drift in the sky and the shadows on the streets are growing longer.
Tak will creep closer to the home and try to discern more about it. If Darius follows, Tak will keep some distance between himself and the paladin to be less obvious of his movements. He keeps his crossbow at the ready, preferring a silent shot for now.
Darius will keep his distance from tak (about 20ft) and will attempt to move forward with him quietly
The pair approach the front door of the home, but spot nothing out of the ordinary.
It appears to be a small, one story, cheap home. Windows and doors are closed and overall it seems undamaged. There is no light on inside.
Tak knocks lightly on the door standing just to the side of it and whispers, trying to be loud enough to be heard inside without having his voice carry farther, "Irabeth? Are you there? Anevia sent us. She hurt her leg and is resting up somewhere else, but she was worried for you so we came to check on you."
There is no response. There continues to be nothing out of the ordinary
The door is locked however.
One window, but does not appear to be the type that opens.
"Darius there isn't any answer at the door. I could try to bypass the lock if I had the proper tools, but I'm not that fortunate. I'm not sure breaking anything to get in is necessary. She either isn't home, or is no longer able to answer the door. All signs point to the house being empty. We should return. Maybe Anevia knows where she may have gone. She is a Knight after all. Maybe she grouped up with other Knights to defend the city."
I agree der tak. If I was a knight I would probably be assisting others not restin at home. Lets get going back to da group
Tak and Darius begin the trek back to meet back with the others. As dusk is in full swing, they both notice at about the same time, that a strange sound begins to fill the air. Like a whisper and a howl at the same time.
From up the street, Tak notices a large creature padding along the road. It's body seems to be covered in spikes.
Round 1
22 Yellow, 37/37
12 Tak 9/21
12 Darius 24/31
The creature very easily noticed the two in the street and moves towards them with incredible speed before attempting to bite Tak.
Tak moves back attempting to avoid an attack of opportunity.
He draws his pistol and fires at the creature.
Darius will move up and slash at the enemy
Tak seems to become annoyed with the sounds the creature is making, feeling as if the howling is digging into his very soul.
Tak steps out of the way of the snapping jaws and fires his pistol, while Darius rushes forward to stab the beast. In the process, the sharp spines poke into Darius.
Afterwards, the beast tries to chomp on the paladin while stepping closer to the gunslinger.
Round 2
22 Yellow, -23
12 Tak 1/21, 1WIS damage
12 Darius 24/31, reflex pending
Tak drops his crossbow, takes a 5 foot step, reloads, and fires.
With the previous hit, one of the dark spines buried itself deep into Darius’s skin, causing him to feel ill.
Tak blasts again, followed by the Paladin slamming his weapon into the creature, and it falls.
Tak drinks a healing potion, reloads his pistol, retrieves his crossbow and checks his ally. "I'm not doctor but I don't think you should have that thing sticking out of you. Lets get you back to Walmir."
Tak swoons a bit, his face paling. "That potion didn't work as well as I thought it would. Lets hustle back to relative safely, eh?"
After a brief look over the vanquished beast for anything of use, he strikes out again towards Horgus' house.
yeah probably should get dis here pointy thingy out of my side. with a grunt Darius will remove the spine
Darius eyes will turn to white and his posture will straighten Cantakken you are wounded, let me attempt to heal your damage from the beast
that should help Cantakken Darius eyes will shift back and posture will relax let's get going eh Takky
Horgus thanks for letting us stay at your place. After that last fight I really needed a break. Can you tell me more about this potential security job because that sounds very intriguing.
Darius 24/31, sickened
Salvatore 14/14
Tak 3/21, 1WIS damage
WalMir 19/19
Horgus will perk up a bit as Salvatore talks. "It's a big place here. Have had a bit of a collection as well as other odds and ends kept here for years. The old crew seems to have run off, so I could use some new folks to keep this place guarded. I suppose, given the conditions of the city itself, and that there are a few wards on this place, it could be a bit of a safe house. As long as the locals keep their sticky fingers to themselves, I don't mind opening my doors a bit."
Looking over the creature, it does indeed appear to be dead. Tak and Darius are able to return to Horgus's home with no further incident.
Tak will approach Anevia, "Sorry Anevia but were weren't able to find her. We got to the house but it was locked up tight and no answer. We opted not to break in because there was no sign of a struggle. You think she may have been called to service in this time of need? There still dangers out there. Darius and I dispatched some foul beast on our way back. Now I need a rest."
It definitely sounds like a great idea to me but of course I will need to speak to my companions. This place is definitely nice and a safehouse really sounds like a good idea with this city in shambles.
Anevia looks nervously at Tak. "So she wasn't there? I'm not sure where she would be. It makes sense she would be doing her knightly thing... but, I don't know where that would put her. The house was fine though? That's a small relief at least. Mayhaps we can get some rest, then head back there in the morning. She may have returned by then. At the very least, it would give me the chance to get cleaned up and fresh clothes."
Salvatore will continue to make small talk with Horgus, also ask him if he has any kind of library that I would be able to do some reading since we might have to rest here a bit longer.
oh hey der guys! We killed a beast but couldn't find her wife. We back safe and sound tho. So we snuggling together tonight or no? Could be a bit chilly eh?
Darius will look around and let out a small chuckle
"I'll cuddle with you Darius so long as you give me another of those great shoulder rubs." Tak says, winking at the paladin. Before bedding down for the night he checks his equipment and weapons over.
Darius will join tak as he beds down. so about that shoulder rub eh? Darius will say as he rests his hands on take shoulders
Horgus takes everyone around on a short tour. Several bedrooms and large sitting rooms, mostly well kept, though now showing obvious signs that items are missing from their shelves and walls. There is indeed a library, it seems mostly untouched, but for a few gaps here and there.
The old man will nudge Salvatore, "Just try to keep it tidy."
The rest of the evening is uneventful.
Dawn comes and Anevia starts trying to wake folks up. "Ready to go?"
"Aye Darius that feels a bit better," Tak says rising for the morning. "Still a bit banged up though. How you fairing, big D?"
oh good. Im fairing good now that I got a good night's rest cuddled up to you. We just might have to make this a nightly thing
Darius will give a wink and a butt slap to tak as he leaves to get his armor in with a smile on his face and pep in his step
I am ready to go when you guys are. You guys feeling a bit better now?
I'm thinkin of havin one or two of dos potions to get me top notch den we can be headin out
Tak swigs down a couple of potions himself, clinking his first bottle to Darius' and saying, "Cheers."
hey let's get er movin eh?
Darius will have his scythe out as he heads out towards the house in the same way we went previously
The trek to Anevia's home is moderately straightforward. It is not that simple however. Moving further north from Horgus's manor, there is more and more debris littering the ground, including torn and sundered citizens and demons. The stench of rot and corruption fills the air. Anevia turns away once she realizes what she is staring at. Swarms of insects buzz around the area, feasting on the flesh of the fallen.
What do you guys think? I wouldn't mind going around but if you guys want to press on then I am fine with it.
I'm thinking we go around eh? Dat be looking real rough and stinky
That is fine by me. Let's go around then
Taking a more circuitous route, the group is able to avoid most of the unpleasantness and arrive at Anevia's home. With her injured leg, the trip takes nearly two hours from Horgus's. The houses here seem to be mostly in one piece. Two houses over, the building there has some scorch marks.
Well good to see your house is in good condition compared to some. Should we make our way inside to check out the place and make sure it's safe?
Producing a small key, Anevia unlocks the door and steps inside, inviting the others to join. "Irabeth! You home yet? I'm back! I brought some friends along, and boy do I have a story for you."
The inside of the home is relatively small and devoid of too many creature comforts, but it seems warm and inviting. There is however, no sign of anyone else at home.
"Well... shoot. It's not much, but make yourselves at home, I'll just be a mo...." Her words trail off a bit, as suddenly, a tear appears in the ground, and a creature pulls itself through, snapping flaming mandibles at the injured woman.
Round 1
25 Tak 21/21
25 Anevia
16 Red
15 WalMir 19/19
09 Darius 31/31
04 Salvatore 14/14
Tak springs into action, moving around the room to get a better shot while drawing his pistol. He fires at the creature.
Tak pulls out his gun and blasts a hole in the wall.
Anevia stumbles back from the flaming bug and shakily pulls out her sword.
The beetle buzzes forward and tries to bite again.
Round 1
25 Tak 21/21
25 Anevia
16 Red
15 WalMir 19/19
09 Darius 31/31
04 Salvatore 14/14
Darius eyes will shift to white as his posture straightens. Bringing his scythe up high readying to swipe down
infernal beast I shall send you back to the hell you were born